I really want to start making my own charms and findings but i don't know what tools i need and the amount of money this will cost me. It would be great to have an idea of all of this. If anyone can help that would be great!  I'm pretty new with beading but not so much. I been making things that i get the supplies from the store and not full time for about 2-3 years.

Jackie

 Do you want to work in sterling?  Brass? or Copper? Do you want to make flat parts or 3 dimensional components?

Cutting out pieces of sterling or copper sheet, stamping them with letter and design stamps, texturing them and antiquing can produce some very interesting charms and jewelry parts. We have some stamping projects and examples at the Rings & Things Gallery.

 Working with Art Clay Silver (ACS) or Precious Metal Clay (PMC) allows you to make findings like clasps, toggles, links and other findings. Your originals can be used as models for wax cast components. Check out the metal clay section over in the Art Jewelry forum.

Did that help?  It's hard to give an exact answer without knowing what sorts of findings you want to make.

There are some very creative people in this forum. Give us a few more details about what your's like to make and we'll give more ideas.

I make a few things from the leavings of my head or loop pins. If they are long enough, I curl the end into an ever widening circle, then, if I need to, make a loop on the other end to put on something. If you want the circle to stand forward, I turn the loop sideways. That's about as complicated as I get on making findings. With wholesale prices, I don't see the monetary gain--unless you are the fabulously artistic kind. See if you can hook up with someone who makes original sterling jewelry as that metal is easiest to design with.

I HAVE BEEN BEADING,& WIRE WRAPPING FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS.  ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, I STARTED WITH ART CLAY & SILVERSMITHING.  ALL OF THESE TYPES OF JEWELRY  MAKING TECHNIQUES REQUIRE  A LOT OF TOOLS.  EACH TIME YOU WORK IN A DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE, YOU ARE LOOKING AT PURCHASING EQUIPMENT.I JUST STARTED FOLD FORMING, CORRUGATION, AND ETCHING, AND I AM ALREADY BUYING MORE TOOLS.  I HAVE  MANY, MANY HAND TOOLS TO WORK WITH; BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS PIECES YOU NEED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED EFFECTS YOU ARE TRYING TO OBTAIN.  IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING JEWELRY, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE PURCHASING AND UPDATING TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES.